Method for Containing Wind-Driven Snow

Abstract

A method for containing wind-driven snow, sleet, ice and other particulate to prevent it from drifting on paths of travel and becoming airborne, obscuring visibility, and drifting. Method involves the application of liquid, slurry, foam, gel, powder, or heat to a desired treatment area with a field of snow in a diffuse pattern. The applied treatment prevents the movement of the loose precipitation either by mixing with the precipitation and freezing to form a crust or alternatively by creating a liquid or semi-liquid slush that is not easily displaced by high winds.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 493,198 of Sidney H. Miller, filed Jun. 27, 2016, entitled SYSTEM FOR AVOIDING SNOW SQUALLS the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH / DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicablePARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT[0003]Not ApplicableREFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, TABLE OR COMPUTER PROGRAM[0004]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPrior Art[0005]The following is a tabulation of the prior art revealed during a patent search that may be relevant:Patent / App. No.Kind CodeIssue DatePatenteeU.S. Pat. No. 7,854,857N / ADec. 21, 2010Wynne et a.U.S. Pat. No. 7,487,580N / AFeb. 10, 2009Schele et al.U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,879N / AJun. 18, 1985Finucane[0006]The present invention is directed to an improvement in the control of wind-driven precipitation. In gusty weather conditions, loose snow, sleet, ice, and othe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The present invention addresses the problems discussed above by offering an inexpensive, environmentally friendly and easily applied method to reduce or eliminate the movement of loose precipitation along travel paths such as roads, runways, and train tracks. Inventor suggests the use of several methods that either form a crust to encapsulate the loose precipitation or create a liquid or semi-liquid slush that is not easily displaced by high winds. These methods will not only reduce the amount of airborne snow, sleet, and ice in windy conditions, they will also reduce the amount of drifting that can create an obstacle for traveling vehicles.

[0016]As discussed above, the applied treatment material prevents the movement of the loose precipitation either by mixing with the precipitation and freezing to form a crust or alternatively by creating a liquid or semi-liquid slush that is not easily displaced by high winds due to the increased weight of the liquefied material. This method can be applied as needed on the ground by modified fire trucks, pumping vehicles, or pressurized tanks. The material can be applied by personnel or by automated equipment such as a sprinkler device. The treatment material can also be applied through aerial means using aircraft or drones.

Problems solved by technology

While the application of this liquid near a road surface may seem counterintuitive, careful application of water to the treatment area will create a slush and will either melt the ground precipitation or freeze to create a crust that inhibits the movement of the precipitation depending on the weather conditions.

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